Magath not afraid to upset Fulham's senior players if it means surviving relegation

Felix Magath says he isn’t interested in making friends at Fulham and is prepared to upset the club’s senior players in a bid to beat the drop.

The German celebrated his first victory as Cottagers boss last weekend – a 1-0 win over Newcastle taking them to within four points of safety – but they face a daunting trip to Manchester City on Saturday.

Magath has started the last two matches with 19-year-old rookie striker Cauley Woodrow, relegating to the bench Darren Bent and Hugo Rodallega.

Stick to your guns: Magath is happy to upset the senior players if it improves his side's chances of survival

Prospect: Youngster Cauley Woodrow has started the last two games for Fulham

He has also dropped Holland goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg in favour of David Stockdale.

And the 60-year-old insists that players liking him or otherwise is not a concern.

‘I’m here to work,’ said the former Bayern Munich coach, ‘To play football is a job and I try to make my job as good as I can.

‘I have no private interests. I have no relationship here in England so I can make decisions without any thoughts.

Demoted: The likes of Darren Bent have been dropped after largely disappointing performances

Out: Stekelenburg is in danger of missing out on a World Cup place after Magath¿s decision to axe him

‘I want to have success and if we work good then we’re all happy. If my team is losing then I’m not happy, I can’t be happy.’

Stekelenburg - signed from Roma in the summer and capped 54 times by Holland - is in danger of missing out on a place at the World Cup after Magath’s decision to axe him from the side.

But the manager believes Stockdale – a former England squad member – offers a more vocal presence.

‘I don’t care about (Stekelenburg’s) performance at Roma,’ he said.

‘It was a decision to change the type of player. Maarten is more quiet and a keeper who doesn’t shout or talk so much and Stockdale is different. He is more exciting and gives something to the team.

Getting shirty: Ashkan Dejagah scored the winner for Fulham in their win against Newcastle last weekend but misses out at Manchester City due to a muscle injury

‘Every manager likes loud players on the field – I would be glad to have one or two more.’

Meanwhile, Magath has confirmed that Damien Duff’s season is over after the former Republic of Ireland winger underwent knee surgery this week.

Last Saturday’s match-winner Ashkan Dejagah will also be missing this afternoon with a groin problem.